Bloomberg Tech: Screentime Special — October 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This special Bloomberg Tech episode broadcasts live from the Bloomberg Screen Time conference in Los Angeles, focusing on the intersection of entertainment, digital media, streaming, and the evolving creator economy. The show brings together top voices from broadcasting, streaming, music, gaming, and the content creator world to discuss industry challenges, new business models, technology’s role in transforming legacy media, and the influence of political and cultural dynamics.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Jimmy Kimmel on Industry Controversy and Comeback

[02:21–05:46]

• Context & Interview:
  Jimmy Kimmel sits down with Lucas Shaw to address recent controversy after comments about Charlie Kirk, and his show’s temporary removal from air.
• Insights:
  • Kimmel’s remarks were, in his view, intentionally mischaracterized by right-wing media.
  • He recounts receiving strong support from Disney leadership (Bob Iger, Dana Walden), turning a potential career low into a moment of unity and resilience.
  • He appreciated the positive conversations with Disney, noting how time for reflection led to a better outcome.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “It was just nonstop phone calls all weekend... But I don't think what turned out to be very positive would have been as positive if I hadn't talked to Dana as much as I did.” — Jimmy Kimmel [03:12]
  • “I knew that it wasn't going to be perfect, and there were always going to be people that didn't like it… But the important thing to me was that I was able to explain what I was saying, what I was trying to say.” — Jimmy Kimmel [04:37]
• Industry Impact:
  • Kimmel’s journey is seen as a "victory lap" by Lucas Shaw, representing a turnaround and a lesson in media resilience.
  • Raises broader discussion on the economics of late-night: high costs, shifting online viewing, and uncertain futures as contracts near expiration.
• Timestamps:
  • [02:21] Kimmel on media mischaracterization
  • [03:12] Reflection on conversations with Disney
  • [04:37] On returning to air and navigating controversy
  • [07:13] Lucas Shaw: “A victory lap… for him.”

2. The State and Future of Public Broadcasting (NPR’s CEO Catherine Mayer)

[12:24–21:24]

• Context & Interview:
  With federal funding cuts deepening under the Trump administration, NPR CEO Catherine Mayer discusses the challenge and transformation of public media.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • NPR faces only 1% direct federal funding, but member stations — especially in rural America — rely on Congress for up to 70% of their budgets.
  • NPR’s digital transformation: Now, 50% of listening is digital (podcasts, YouTube, online), dispelling the stereotype of NPR as radio-only.
  • Mayer stresses the importance of representing the full spectrum of American society, not just a supposed liberal base.
  • Fundraising, technology integration, and bringing local stories to a national (and digital) audience are essential survival tactics.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “There's certainly no roadmap for this moment in time. This represents a step change for all public broadcasting.” — Catherine Mayer [13:03]
  • “50% of what we’re doing is for digital audiences, and 50%… for radio… We serve 99.7% of the American public.” [14:43]
  • “Our coverage… tends to bring people closer to an understanding of their fellow Americans, because we really do focus on finding the personal story.” [17:52]
  • On fundraising and the gap federal cuts create: “We have seen a lot of support… but it won’t be enough to fill the $120 million gap.” [18:32]
• Timestamps:
  • [13:03] Navigating funding and audience changes
  • [14:43] Digital and demographic shifts
  • [17:52] Audience feedback and mission
  • [18:32] Grassroots support vs. larger funding needs

3. Music, Streaming, and IP Storytelling

[21:24–24:51]

• Robert Kyncl, Warner Music Group CEO:
  • Alludes to pending deals with Netflix to develop movies and documentaries based on the Warner catalog, describing the company as the “Marvel for music.”
  • Stresses the global and intergenerational appeal, reviving stories of both living artists and legendary estates.
• Greg Peters, Netflix co-CEO:
  • Discusses the parallels between building new content categories (like gaming) internationally and Netflix’s experience entering new markets (e.g., Japan).
  • Announces expansion into TV-based social gaming: launching a suite of party games with your phone as a controller (Boggle, Pictionary, Lego, Tetris, Mafia/whodunit).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “We’re like Marvel for music. That’s where we are, and it will be unlocked.” — Robert Kyncl [22:17]
  • “You’ve got to every day build a little bit of like, what are we doing, who we are, how are we here to serve you?... The gaming situation is not dissimilar.” — Greg Peters [22:47]
• Timestamps:
  • [21:46] Robert Kyncl on music IP adaptations
  • [22:47] Netflix’s international growth, gaming parallels
  • [23:51] Expansion of Netflix gaming to TV/social

4. Twitch and Community-Centric Live Streaming (With Dan Clancy, Twitch CEO)

[26:28–33:02]

• Context & Interview:
  Twitch’s colossal global reach and the rise of community-driven, long-form live content, explained by CEO Dan Clancy.
• Key Insights:
  • Twitch is described as “community-centric live streaming,” not simply a gaming platform; long-form, deep audience interaction is key.
  • The platform is expanding—now IRL, just chatting, and creative content are immense.
  • Twitch’s unique monetization: content creators can build huge communities and compete for talent with major contracts.
  • Strict guidelines and moderation are necessary to preserve community and prevent abuse, especially as the platform becomes a space for political and cultural controversy.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “As human beings, we are all yearning for community... That is the magic of Twitch.” — Dan Clancy [26:47]
  • “On Twitch, you can’t put on a mask… Celebrities, athletes… want that authentic, honest connection with their fans.” [30:26]
  • On moderation and policy: “You can freely express your views. It's how you say it that's important... Hate and harassment is not allowed.” [32:31]
• Timestamps:
  • [26:42] Community-centric focus
  • [27:56] Evolution beyond gaming
  • [29:17] Monetization, creator competition
  • [30:26] Authenticity, content guidelines and moderation

5. Gaming Industry Deep Dive: Mobile’s Social Revolution (Eunice Lee, Scopely COO)

[35:35–41:20]

• Context & Interview:
  Scopely’s COO Eunice Lee explores mobile gaming’s massive growth, business models, community-first innovation, and the platform competition for user attention.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • Scopely has surpassed $10 billion in lifetime revenue, boasting 500 million daily active users.
  • Social, engaging experiences (e.g., Pokémon Go, Marvel Strike Force, Star Trek Fleet Command) drive retention and expansion.
  • Raises the issue of gaming’s competition with other forms of screen time: TikTok, YouTube, social media.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “We always start from that core premise—community first… creating these highly social, engaging experiences.” — Eunice Lee [35:35]
  • “Mobile is one of the most tactile and easiest ways [to connect with players], but it's something that is always on our minds.” [39:58]
  • “75% of our players of [Star Trek Fleet Command] are touching it every single day, every single day and in meaningful amounts of time.” [40:45]
• Timestamps:
  • [35:35] Competition and innovation
  • [36:06] Scopely’s scale and business numbers
  • [38:36] Cross-platform vision
  • [39:19] Global phenomenon of gaming IP
  • [40:45] Player retention and engagement

6. Life and Business as a Top Creator (Pokimane)

[42:11–47:20]

• Context & Interview:
  Imane “Pokimane” Anys discusses her decade-long journey as a top Twitch streamer, the diversification of content creation, safety, demographics, and monetization.
• Key Insights:
  • Began with video game streaming; now diversified into IRL, social, and lifestyle content.
  • Community overlaps and shifts by platform: men on Twitch, women on TikTok, broadening reach through varied content.
  • Revenue models differ by platform: Twitch emphasizes subscription, while Instagram and YouTube focus on sponsorships and ads.
  • Safety is a top priority—both online moderation and IRL security for public appearances.
  • Speaks on using her platform to advocate for human rights and issues she’s experienced firsthand.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I love sharing my life online. I love to entertain people, I love to make people happy.” — Pokimane [42:19]
  • “On Twitch, when you subscribe, you're sending them $5 every month… But for me, the large, large, large majority [of my income] has come from sponsorships and contracts.” [46:35]
  • “There’s online safety and there’s also in-person safety. So… I typically don't IRL stream in LA unless I have security with me.” [44:36]
• Timestamps:
  • [42:19] Pokimane on starting and defining her role
  • [43:40] Platform evolution, audience demographics
  • [45:27] Advocacy and political issues
  • [46:35] Creator monetization breakdown

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Mistaken Outrage and Recovery:
  “Sometimes you think, oh this is not a problem and then it turns into a big problem and then sometimes it goes the other way.” — Jimmy Kimmel [02:21]
• On Audience Reach:
  “We serve 99.7% of the American public. So in some ways, we are one of the largest national networks.” — Catherine Mayer [14:43]
• On the Power of Community:
  “That is really the magic of Twitch and what distinguishes Twitch from many other platforms that have live streaming.” — Dan Clancy [26:47]
• On Digital Transformation:
  “Technology actually offers us the place to bring all of that aggregate reporting together… [listeners] think of us as one public media experience.” — Catherine Mayer [19:45]
• On Gaming vs. Other Apps:
  “Our players want to access our content in different ways and it's not this huge battle so much… There's a place for all of it.” — Eunice Lee [38:36]
• The Modern Creator’s Business:
  “Streams of income do differ greatly depending on the platform… for me, the large, large, large majority of my career income has come just from sponsorships and contracts.” — Pokimane [46:35]

Conclusion

This special edition of Bloomberg Tech from Screen Time LA captures how technology, streaming, and content creation are reshaping both old and new media. From Kimmel’s controversy to NPR’s funding fight, from Twitch’s live community mechanics to the surging world of mobile gaming and the creator economy, the show underscores the pace of change, the need for adaptability, and the centrality of audience engagement in the next phase of digital business.